After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.